Sphere breaks ground on Edition Birmingham towers
Construction on a 46-storey residential scheme near Birmingham’s Centenary Square is now fully under way, months after the development received Gateway Two approval late last year.
The first phase of the 581-home Edition Birmingham towers, currently being developed by specialist residential developer, Sphere Group and partner Select Property, is due for completion next year.
The luxury residential development is set to be built on the site of the former Paradise Circus council car park, built during the 1970’s but demolished in 2024 to make way for the scheme.
Main contractor Midgard has removed around 130,000 sq ft of earth to clear the path for the two adjoining towers which make up the development, the 149-apartment, 15-storey Park Residence and the larger Centenary Tower, which has 432 apartments across 45 storeys.
An aerial view of the Edition Birmingham site, following demolition work on former multi-storey car park in November. Credit: Place Midlands
The towers’ invisible metal base, which comprises 578 tonnes of reinforced steel, has also been fixed in place, with over 2.5 million metres cubed of concrete poured onto the site to create the basement slab.
Completion of Park Residence is expected in 2027 followed by Centenary Tower in 2028.
Thomas Taylor, managing director of Sphere Group, said: “Our teams on the ground are making great progress after Edition gained prestigious Gateway 2 approval, and we’re now on track to welcome our first residents next year.
“We’re proud that Edition is part of the vision to make Birmingham city centre a truly world-class place to live, work and spend leisure time.”
Meanwhile, Simon Delahunty-Forrest, Birmingham City Council’s director of planning and development, said the site as “crucial” to the authority’s vision for a thriving city centre, after he was given a tour of the development site.
Imogen Tudor (Select Property), Carl Donaldson (Select Property), Alex Neale (Sphere Group), Simon Delahunty-Forrest (Birmingham City Council), Hannah Rockliffe-Wrigley (Select Property), Thomas Taylor (Sphere Group), Michael Allsop (Midgard) at a groundbreaking ceremony for Edition. Credit: Select
“Edition Birmingham is a stunning development and it’s fantastic to see work underway after gaining Gateway 2 approval,” he said.
“The scheme sits next to Paradise and within a major economic development area that will house exciting new residential and commercial assets being brought to life over the next decade.
“Our vision for Birmingham includes improving our world-class cultural assets and creating high-value jobs and desirable living space, ensuring a vibrant city centre and drawing in residents and visitors alike.
“High-quality residential developments like Edition Birmingham are crucial to helping the city council deliver this vision.”
Edition Birmingham’s designs have been led by Arcadis and Weedon Architects with support from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).
The development has financial backing from PGIM Real Estate, as well as Eldridge.
